Dispatching mechanism for alarm signal systems



July 22, 19.41- J. H. wHEELocK ETAL 2,250,054

DISPATCHINGMECHANISM FOR AILARM SIGNAL SYSTEMS July 22, 1941. J. H. wHEELocK ET AL 2,250,054

DISPATCHING MECHANISM FOR ALARM SIGNAL SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 22, 1941 UNITED ASTATES DISPATCHING MIECHANISM FOR ALARM' SIGNAL SYSTEMS John H. Wheelock, Fitzwilliam, N. H., and Ferdinand F. Humphreys, Caldwell, N. J., assignors to Signal Engineering & Manufacturing Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Massa.-

chusetts Application November 30, 1937, Serial No. 177,284

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to alarm signal systems, particularly fire alarm systems employing a number of bells or other signal dem'ces adapted to be sounded or otherwise operated, in response to the actuation of any one of a number of separate alarm sending stations, such alarm systems being commonly installed in schools, factories, hotels and other large buildings.

In the co-pending application of John H. Wheelock, one of the inventors herein, Serial No. 86,512, filed June 22, 1936, there is shown and described an alarm signal system of the above indicated character, in which the actuation of a sending station is adapted to operate the signals in accordance with the code designation of the Selected station. Normally, these signals are operated to give a predetermined number of code sequences, as determined by the construction of the operating mechanism of the station, after which .the signals cease to operate, unless the station is again actuated.

There is also disclosed in the aforesaid copending application, manually operated means at each station to cause continuous operation of the signals, although not in accordance with a code, after the actuated station has run down. In this way, the actuation of a station will insure not only the transmission of a code to indicate the location of the re, but also the continued operation of the signals to insure that all persons will be warned that an alarm has been sent.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispatching mechanism for the station of an alarm signal system of the above indicated character, or for any similar system, which mechanism, when once actuated, will automatically cause the operation of the signals of the system on a continuous non-code basis, after `the normal functioning of the station has caused operation of the signals through a predetermined number of code sequences. The above and other advantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view, illustrating an alarm system comprising sending stations embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic View of a portion of the alarm system of Fig. 1, showing the functioning of the dispatching mechanism to cause operation of tthe signals on` a non-code basis.

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of a dispatching mechanism embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the parts of Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary views showing details of the mechanism of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a View showing a portion of the parts of Fig. 4, as viewed from the right.

Fig. 8 is a vfragmentary sectional view at 8-8 in Fig. 4.

Referring rst to Fig. 1, an alarm signal system illustrative of the invention comprises the signals I, which are adapted to be sounded or otherwise electrically operated for giving an alarm are shown, for purposes of illustration, as being of the single-stroke solenoid type, with each providing an operating winding 2 within which moves a magnetic striker 2a. The windings 2 of the signals I are adapted to be connected in sections across the supply mains 3 and 4, with balancing resistors 5 between the sections, by means of a number of pairs of relatively movable contacts 6 and 'I forming part of a master controller, generally designated by the reference character 8. The master controller 8 comprises an energizing winding 9 and a magnetic armature I0 carrying the conitacts 6 insulated from lthe armature and movable into engagement with the stationary contacts 'I. Therefore, attraction of the armature I, in response to energization of the Winding 9, is adapted to simultaneously energize the signal windings 2, in sections, according to the connection of the several pairs of contacts Ii and 'I to the signal windings 2 and to the supply mains 3 and 4.

The winding 9 of the master controller 8 is shown as having one terminal thereof connected :to the supply main 3, while the other terminal thereof is connected in series with the thermal element II and normally closed contacts I2 and I3 of an automatic circuit interrupter I4' which will be later described. From the interrupter I4, the circuit extends through a number of alarm sending stations I5, and each sending station provid a suitable contacting mechanism, here shown as comprising independent pairs of spaced stationary contacts I6, II and I8, I9. In the normal non-operating condition of each station I5, the pairs of contacts I6, II and I8, I9 are in engagement. It is to be noted that the contacts I6 and I9 extend beyond the associated contacts I'I and I8, respectively, to provide fingers IEa and I9a terminating in contacts 2'0 and 2| that are'spaced apart. In the operation of a station I5, the fingers I6a and I9a are adapted to be simultaneously flexed from the full to Ithe dotted line position to close the contacts 29 and2I, and to simultaneously disengage contacts I6 and I9 from the stationary contacts II and I8, respectively. The showing of the stations I5 is entirely diagrammatic in Fig. 1, and as indicated, the engagement, or disengagement, of the contacts 2U and 2|` is under the control of a code wheel 22, adapted to be driven by a suitable clockwork mechanism upon actuation of the station, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the non-operating condition of the system A shown in Fig. 1, all the contacts I6 and I'I ofVV the several stations I5, are connected inseries tions, and a conductor '.26 connects the nearest station contact I 9 .to'themaind through a current limiting resistor 21.-. Y i l Whenever any one of the stations I is actuated for the purpose of-sending an alarm,- rotation of the code wheel 22\causes-the iirst code projection 22a, -acting Ithrough an v operating lever 28, pivoted at 29, to closetheY contacts 2i) and-2| through flexure of the fingers -Iarand I9a, while atthe same time disengaging contacts I6, I7 and I8, I9, respectively. When thisy occurs, the contacts IiiV and I9 are connected in series at the actuated station through the then engaged contacts and 2l, so as'to establish a circuit from the supply rnain 4 throughconductor 25, andclosed contacts 2% and ZI directly to the controller Winding 9, so that the controlling resistor 24, Ithe signal windings 2 and re` sistors 5 are nolonger in circuit with the winding. The resulting increase of current through the armature 9. then pulls up the main armature I0 and causes closure of all the controller con- Ita-cts 6 and 7. Y

This increased iiow of current through the Winding 9 has no immediate effecten the signals I, which are thenout of Vcircuit with the controller Winding, but upon 'closure of the controller contacts 6 and 1, a numbercf signal energizing Vcircuits arek established. Starting from the supply main 4, current ows through a conductor 30 leading to the closed contacts 6 and 'I at the lefqt of the winding 9 and from these contacts 'I signal operating current may .then flow through conductor Sla, leading to the signals I. After traversing the signal windings 2, the operating current then iiows through conductor 32 to the closed controller contacts and 'l at the right of the winding 9, and from thence to the grounded supply main 3. This causes the signals to give the first; impulse of the code being transmitted by the actuated station I5.

The armature I remains up until an operating portion 28a on the lever 28 enters the space between the irst and second code Wheel projections 22a, thereby turning the lever 28 to an intermediate position, shown in Fig. 5, wherein all the contacts I6, I'I, I8, I9, 29 and 2| are open.

Opening of contacts 29 and 2I serves to deenergize the controller winding 9, followed by opening of the controller contacts, as the armature IU drops to restore the signalwindings 2 to deenergized condition, lout it vdoes not'reinsert the resistor 24 in the circuit of winding 9. Thisfcycle of operation is repeated foreach projection 22a of the code wheel 22, Ithereby causing the signals I to give spaced code impulses,in accord.-

ance with the arrangement of the projectionsy 22a on the code wheel. After the codevwheel 22 has'made one or more revolutions to transmit the `desired number-offrounds ,of signal impu1ses,

the Wheel 22 comes to rest, with the lever 28 in the position of Fig. 1, wherein the station contacts I6, I'I and I8, I9 are again closed, while' coding contacts 2 and 2| are open.

In the functioning of the system described thus far, the actuation of a station I5 is adapted to operate the signals through a pre-determined number cf Vcode sequences determined by the code designation of the actuated station, after which the signals cease to operate on a code basis, unless a station is again actuated. According to the present invention, each station also provides a dispatching mechanism adapted to continuously operate the signals, although not in accordance with a code, by reclosure of contacts 20 and 2|, after the driving mechanism of the station has run Idown. In thisway, the actuation of a station will insure not only'the transmission of a code to indicate the location of the re, but also the continued operation of the signals to insure that all persons will be warned that an alarm has been sent.

As previously pointed out, one terminal of the controller winding 9 is shown as connected to one end yof 'the thermal element II of the automatic circuit interrupter I4, which may be of, the type shown in Hanel Patent No. 1,868,500, issued July 26, 1932. The interrupter shown diagrammatically, as providing a pivoted arm contact I2 connected to the other end of the thermal element II, with the initial tension of element II maintaining the contact I2 in engagement with the stationary contact I3, Upon the passage of a predetermined current through the element I I, its heating and expansion permits a spring I2a to turn the arm contact I2 about its pivot to disengage stationary contact I3, whereupon current no longer flows through element II. The resulting cooling and contraction of the element II causes the arm contact I2 to reengage conta-ct I3, whereupon the cycle is repeated to cause the interrupter Ill to make and break the circuit of the element II so long as suiiicient current iiows through the element to cause its expansion. However, during coded operation of the signals, as described above, the successive energizations of the controller Winding 9, by full operating current, are not of suflicient duration rto have any effect on the thermal element II, so that the circuit remains closed at the interrupter contacts I2 and I3.

However, upon continued recl'osure of the station contacts 20 and 2I, after the code Wheel 22 has come to rest, to energize controller winding 9 and cause the armature I0 to again pull up, a direct circuit is provided through conductors 30 and 3Ib for the flow of operating current through the thermal element II, in series with the winding 9, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 2. When this occurs, expansion of the element II permits the spring I2a to turn the arm contact I2, and so open the circuit of the winding .9 at the contact I3. The armature IIB thereupon drops, but is pulled up again when the contact I2 reengages contact I3, upon cooling of the thermal element II. Therefore, the signals I will continue to operate intermittently, although without code sequence, as long as the contacts 29 and 2| remain closed at the actuated station.

Mechanism for non-code operation Referring now Vto Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown one form of dispatching mechanism 33 embodying the invention, the mechanism Yhaving been removed from the fire .alarmboxin `which itis normally mounted,V A ,portion ofthe front of the box is indicated` atV ,34,qand, when the doorV of lthe box has been opened, the mechanism 33 is adapted to be actuated by a hand lever 35, accessible from the ,front of the box, as shown in Fig. 3. The lever 35 is mounted on a shaft 3B, and turning of the lever 35 in the direction of Ithe arrow in Fig. 4, causes a toothed sector 31 to turn a pinion 38A mounted on a shaft 3 9. This shaft 39 is connected to a spring 4|), shown in dotted lines, and Aturning of` the lever 35 causes the spring to be wound. Consequently, upon release of the lever 35, thel tension of the wound spring 40 actuates the dispatching mechanism, to cause rotaltion of a shaft 4I, driveny from the shaft 39 through suitablel gearing 42. Code wheel 22 is mounted on the shaft 4|, and the ratio of gearing 42 issuch that the code wheel 22 makes several complete revolutions, in response toone actuation of the lever 35, to wind the spring 40 by turning the shaft `3E! through a portion of one revolution.

The parts of the dispatching mechanism described thus far are usual `in devices of this.

character, and the invention contemplates the incorporation with the dispatching mechanism of means for automatically causing the alarm signals to operate on a non-code basis, after the mechanism has run down and the signals no longer operate under the control of the code wheel 22.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the spring shaft 39 carries a cam 43, having a notch 44 which is turned through substantially one revolution from the position shown, upon winding of the spring by turning the handleA 35. Upon release of the handle 35, the code wheel shaft 4| is driven in the manner previously described, so as to impart a number of complete revolutions to the code wheel 22, and thereby transmit code impulses through movement of the lever 28 which actuatesr the contacts I6 to 2|, inclusive.

The free end of the lever 28 is normally urged in the direction of the code wheel 22 by a spring 45, and a flat surface 46 on fthev lever 22, adjacent the operating portion 28a, is normally in engagement with a lug 41 of insulating material. The lug 41 is mounted on a lever 48, turnable on the same pivot 29 as the lever 28, and extending between the surface 4S and the contact finger |611, mounted on an insulating block 49. The several contacts, I1, i8 and I9 are also mounted on the block 49 and extend in parallel relation, with all the contacts being connected in the system, as shown in- Fig. 1.

As previously pointed out, the contacts 20 and 2| on the fingers |6a and |9a, respectively, are normally out of engagement, but turning of the lever 28 by the rotation of the code wheel 22 is transmitted into movement of the insulating lug 41, so as to engage the contacts 2|] and 2| each time a code wheel projection 22a turns the lever 28. Therefore, the resistor 24 is cut out of circuit each time that the contacts 20 and 2| are closed, to cause full energization of the controller winding 9 and the transmission of a code impulse to the signals l. A

In the non-operating condition of the mechanism, the operating portion 28acf'the lever 28 is received in a notch 58 of the code wheel 22 that is deeper than the notches between adjacent code projections 22a. In this position of the lever, the surface 46 is far enough withdrawn from the lug 41, so as to maintain engagement between the contacts I6, |1 and I8, I9.

However, as soon as the lever 28 is turned by the first code projection 22a, a cam 5| mounted on the shaft 4| beneath the code Wheel 22, see Fig. 5, is turned by a spring 52 to bring a projection -53 into register with the operating portion 28a. A stop arm 54 on the cam 5|, bears on the casing 55 of the driving spring 4U, to position the projection 53, and it is noted that the surface of the projection 53 is at the same radial distance from the shaft 4| as the bottom of a notchl between adjacent code projections 22a. Therefore, when once the lever 28 has been lifted out of the notch 50, the operating portion 28a does not return to the position of Fig. 4 between c'ode projections, but only as far as the surface of the cam projection 53, wherein the contacts I6, |1 and 20, 2|, are out of engagement. Thus, the operating portion 28a of the lever 28 does not enter into `the notch 59 between successive rounds of the call being transmitted, and the resistor 24 is maintained out of circuit through the transmission of a complete code sequence.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the spring shaft 39 carries a pawl 56 pivotally mounted on a pawl arm 51, that is turnable freely about the shaft 39. A spring 58 acting on the arm 51, see Fig. 3, normally tends to maintain the arm 51 against a stop 59, with the tooth 56a of the pawl bearing on the periphery of the icam 43 adjacent the notch 44. When the driving spring 40 is wound by turning the handle 35 ,to actuate the mechanism, the cam 43 is turned through substantially one revolution, and as the spring unwinds, the notch 44 approaches the pawl and engages the pawl tooth 56a during rthat portion of the turning movement of the cam 43 corresponding to the last round of the code. This serves to turn the arm 51 with the pawl, see Fig. 6, and just before the cam 43 comes to rest, an extension 60 of the arm 51 engages a lever 6| mounted on the shaft 4| below the arm 51. The end of this lever 6| provides a notch 62, in which is received a pin 63 provided by the cam 5| on the code wheel shaft. Therefore, just before the spring shaft comes to rest, the engaged pawl 58, acting through the arm 51 and lever 6|, turns the cam 5| in a counter-clockwise direction, to move a projection 64 of the cam 5| into engagement with rthe operating portion 28a of the code transmitting lever 28.

Since the projection 64 provides a surface at the same radial distance from the axis of the shaft 4| as the operating pontion of a code projection 22a, the mechanism cornes to rest, with the lever 28 occupying the same position that it does when moved by a code projection, thereby closing contacts 20 and 2|. Therefore, at the completion of a number of rounds of code signal impulses, when the actuated station has run down, the contacts 20 and 2| remain closed, to short circuit the resistor 24 and cause the `controller armature Ill to pull up. The resulting closure of controller contacts 6 and 1 causes the thermal element I| to operate in the manner previously described with reference to Fig. 1, to

this arm-eXtends-at right anglesOVer an arm 1I;

mounted on a-shaft l2- extending. through thefront 34 of Vthe box.- The outer end of the shaft 72 carriesjapin 13, and-.When-the/door-of theboX is open, a slotted-key carriedby-a-personfin authority is inserted-toengage the pin =IS-and turn the shaft 'I2 to rock the-arm ll;

Asbest shown in Fig 8,- theendof the arm 'H is normally positionedadjacent to a-bevelled surface 'lila of the 'portion 1U, -so that turningy o-f the shaft 12-by the key-fisadapted to `-roclr the lever 65, and thereby lifzt the paWl-Eout of engagement With the-cam notch 44. When this occurs, the spring 58, acting on the cam 43,- returns the cam, to its original position of Fig. 4, thereby withdrawing the projection 64 from engagement With the` code transmitting lever 28, and -permitting its operating portion=28a-to bottom in the notch 50. This` opens contacts 2li and sending of continuous non-code signal impulses.A

We claim: Y

l. A dispatching mechanism forV an electrical alarm system, contacts normally open in the non-operating condition of said mechanism, a spring-driven motor providing a shaftturnable-through Va predetermined angle when the motor is Wound, a coding element operable for a predetermined comprising relatively movable period, upon unwinding said motor, to move said member to maintain said contacts in closed position after said motor has come to rest.

2. A dispatching mechanism for. aneelectrical alarm system, comprising relatively movable contacts normally open in the non-operating condition of said mechanism, aspring-drven motor providing a shaft turnable throughia predetermined angle when the motor iswound, a coding element operable for a predetermined period, upon unwinding saidmotor, to intermittently move said contacts into andout Vofengagement to transmit signallimpulses in vaccordance With the code designation of saidelement, an actuating member freely mounted onf` said moto-r shaft, a driving element.v turnable ,with the motor shaft to engage said actuating member as said motor unwinds, means operable by said actuating member to maintain .said contacts in closed position after said motor has come to rest, and means for manually disconnectingr said actuating member from said driving element to restore said contacts to open condition.

3. A dispatching mechanism. foraneleetrical alarm signal system, comprising relativelymovable contacts normally open in the non-operating condition of said mechanism, a springdriven motor providing. a shaft turnable throughv a Vpredetermined anglewhen the motor is'Wound,

aasogozsifV al codingl element mounltedon- -a shaft driven fromsaid motor,l a-movablemember actuated by said coding element for intermittently closing and opening said contacts to `transmit signalimpulses,l a cam member mounted-on'the -same shaft as said coding element, normally disengaged from said contact-actuating'. member, and means actuated from the motor-shaft as the motor comes to rest-to turn said cam and thereby maintain said contacts inclosed position through movement of saidcontact actuating member.

4. A dispatching mechanism foranelectrical alarm signal system, comprising relatively movablev contacts normally open in thenon-operating condition of said mechanism,` a springdriven motor providing ashaft turnable through a predetermined angle when the motor is Wound, a coding element mounted on a shaft driven from said motor, afmovable member actuated by said coding element for intermittently-closing and opening said contactsto transmit signal impulses, a Vcam member mounted on the' same shaft as said coding element, normally disengaged fromsaidpivoted contact-actuating member, means actuated from the motor shaft as the motor comes to restv for turning said cam to thereby maintain said contacts in closed position, and manually operable means for restoring said cam to its initial position to permit said contacts to open.

5. A dispatching mechanism foran electrical alarm signal system, comprising relatively movable contacts, one pair of which ils-normally open in the non-operating condition of said mechanism, While other pairs areclosed for the flow of supervisory current, a spring-driven motor providing a shaft turnable-through a predetermined angle when the motor is Wound, a coding element operable for a predetermined period, upon unwinding of said motor to cause the closingand opening of the first-named pair of contacts of the transmission of signal impulses, in accordance with the code designation of said element, While the other contacts are heldvopen, and means operated byv turning of said motor shaft for automatically causing said first-named pair of contacts to vremain closed affter the motor has run down.

6. A :dispatching mechanism for an electrical alarm signal system,` comprising relatively movable conta.cts,one pair of which is -normally 'open in the non-operating condition of said mechanism, while other pairs are closed for the flow of supervisory currenlt, a spring-driven motor providing a shaft turnable through a predetermined angle when the motor is Wound, a coding element operable for a predetermined period, upon unwinding of said motor to cause the closlng and opening of the first-named pair of contacts for the transmission of vsignal impulses, in accordance With the codedesignation of said element while the other contacts are held open, means operated by'turning ofsaid motor shaft for automatically causing said rst-named pair of :contacts to remain closed after the motor has run down, and manually operable means for restoring all of said contacts toy their normally open or closed positions.

JOI-DT H. WI-IEELOCK. FERDINAND F. H'UIVIPHREYS. 

